City's Founding

Woodland is recorded as being founded by Henry Wyckoff in the Winter of 1853 where he erected a store claiming the name Yolo City. Soon after, the settlement of Yolo City was established around what is now the central part of Main Street. The City became an important agricultural center and rapidly grew with other businesses joining the area, including a store owned by Major F.S. Freeman. Lots were freely offered to those who would clear the land and build homes. In 1861 the building of a federal post office in the town inspired the renaming of the settlement to formally become Woodland. The City of Woodland incorporated in 1871.

Geography

Woodland is located at 38°40′27″N, 121°46′21″W (38.674054, -121.772498).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.3 square miles (26.7 km²), all of it land.

All of the land in and around Woodland is relatively flat. The mostly arable land that is characteristic of the Central Valley surrounds the city and harvests tomatoes, corn, and other produce.

Demographics

Woodland Court House

As of the census of 2000, there were 49,151 people, 16,751 households, and 12,278 families residing in the city. By December 2006, Woodland grew to 55,996 people. The population density was 4,765.7 people per square mile (1,840.7/km²). There were 17,120 housing units at an average density of 1,660.0/sq mi (641.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 66.84% White 48.5% by December 2006], 1.28% African American 1.3% by December 2006], 1.46% Native American, 3.77% Asian 7.4% by December 2006], 0.28% Pacific Islander, 21.50% from other races, and 4.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 38.83% of the population (42.8% by December 2006).

There were 16,751 households out of which 40.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.8% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.7% were non-families. 21.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.37.

In the city the population was spread out with 29.7% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 96.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $44,449 ($50,309 in December 2006), and the median income for a family was $48,689. Males had a median income of $34,606 versus $27,086 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,042. About 9.2% of families and 11.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.0% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.

It has been published that "Fabulous First Street," as it is sometimes referred to, may have the most examples of different styles of architecture than any other street in the United States. Many of the most famous examples are the different styles of Victorian homes, some of which date back before 1900.

Sister cities

Woodland has one sister city, as designated by Sister Cities International: since there are a lot of people from La Piedad here.